Sundance Airport CEO Jerry Hunter looks at a FLS Microjet that is hangared at the northwest Oklahoma City airport, which he recently purchased. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman Steve Gooch

Jet capable private airport

Like most small airports in Oklahoma, Sundance doesn't have an air traffic control tower. But it does have a 5,000-foot jet-capable runway, an asset that makes it unique for a small, private airport, said Grayson Ardies, aviation programs manager for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.

City officials in 1984 celebrated the opening of the airport, which cost $12.5 million to build, according to The Oklahoman archives.

For at least 20 years before, the site consisted of a sod landing strip with a small hangar that was periodically rented by a hobbyist to rebuild an old plane.

Now, about 150 aircraft are based at Sundance, and it handles about 3,000 total landings and take offs each year, according to data provided by the airport to Aeronautics Commission. In comparison, Wiley Post Airport, a public Oklahoma City airport, has more than 330 based aircraft and handles an average of 70,000 aircraft operations a year.

Hunter plans to set up a Young Eagles program at Sundance as well as a flight school. He believes the new restaurant and competitively-priced aircraft fuel sold on site will attract more pilots.